The USN Blue Angels reform into the Diamond formation. The Diamond is flown by: Commander Steve Foley (#1 Flight Leader/Commanding Officer), Lt. Commander John Saccomando (#2 Right Wing), Lt. Commander Max McCoy (#4 Slot), and Lt. Commander Max McCoy (#4 Slot).

The Diamond wheels behind the crowd, preparing for the Vertical Break. We move into a stacked, trail position, each successive fighter's nose under the tail of the jet ahead of it. In the lowest (No. 4) position, I'm looking up at No. 3's tail hook--about 5 ft. above me--and Nos. 2 and 1 are above No. 3. Shortal positions our Hornet fore and aft so he can barely see No. 3's leading-edge flaps. Back in front of the crowd, the stacked formation starts a climb. Shortal calls, "Go Diamond," and all four aircraft shift to their familiar four-point formation. Then the Diamond breaks apart again--Foley pulls over the top, continuing a loop. No. 2 breaks 90 deg. right, rolling to inverted, and No. 3 does the same to the left. Shortal pushes over to about -0.5g, then snap-rolls left to a 90-deg. bank and pulls 7.5g in a body-crushing, 180-deg. arc that culminates as a rendezvous with the other three jets back at show-center. -[Aviation Week]

Photo by Bob Nelson, on Friday July 8, 2005 at the Fargo Air Park.